Little Climbers Early Learning Centre

Education institution number:
45925
Service type:
Education & Care Service
Total roll:
27
Telephone:
Address:

33 Kairanga Street, Mangere East, Auckland

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Little Climbers Early Learning Centre

1 ERO’s Judgements 

Akarangi | Quality Evaluation evaluates the extent to which this early childhood service has the learning and organisational conditions to support equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners. Te Ara Poutama Indicators of quality for early childhood education: what matters most are the basis for making judgements about the effectiveness of the service in achieving equity and excellence for all learners. Judgements are made in relation to the Outcomes Indicators, Learning and Organisational Conditions. The Evaluation Judgement Rubric derived from the indicators, is used to inform ERO’s judgements about this service’s performance in promoting equity and excellence.  

ERO’s judgements for ​Little Climbers Early Learning Centre​ are as follows:  

Outcome Indicators 

(What the service knows about outcomes for learners) 

Whāngai Establishing​ 

Ngā Akatoro Domains 

 
Learning Conditions 
Organisational Conditions 

​​Whāngai Establishing​ 

Whāngai Establishing​ 

2 Context of the Service 

Little Climbers Early Learning centre is one of five services under the same ownership. The owner is a qualified teacher. A newly appointed centre manager leads a team of two qualified teachers and one teacher aide. Most children attending have Pacific heritages, and a small number of children are Māori

3 Summary of findings 

Children experience respectful relationships with teachers. Unhurried and calm routines provide uninterrupted time for children to engage in meaningful play. A play-based curriculum responds to their interests and provides a range of experiences to support children’s learning. Leaders and teachers are reviewing the transition to school programme to ensure it aligns with the intent of Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum.  

Relationships with parents are prioritised. Parent aspirations are sought and used to inform curriculum decisions. Teachers continue to build partnerships with parents and whānau that focus on having a shared approach to supporting children’s learning. 

Children’s languages and cultures are highly visible and valued by teachers. Culturally responsive practices are reflected in children’s learning records and in the environment. Te reo Māori and tikanga Māori are woven into teachers’ daily practices. This focus continues to be a priority area of improvement for teachers. 

A strategic plan and a framework of policies and procedures are in place. Leaders and teachers are committed to ongoing professional learning, including through external appraisal and mentoring opportunities. Leaders have yet to evaluate the impact this work is having on improved teaching practice or outcomes for children.  

A process for internal evaluation that focuses on improvement is evident. Leaders and teachers are beginning to work collaboratively to embed this process. They are yet to focus on identifying the practices and experiences that result in positive and improved learning outcomes for children. 

4 Improvement actions 

​Little Climbers Early Learning Centre​ will include the following actions in its Quality Improvement Planning: 

  • Review and evaluate how well the curriculum helps children to progress in the learning outcomes of Te Whāriki. Use this information to adapt and improve teaching practices.  
  • Continue to implement a collaborative process for internal evaluation that enables leaders and teachers to better understand how improvement actions have positively impacted on outcomes for children. 

5 Management Assurance on Legal Requirements 

Before the review, the staff and management of ​Little Climbers Early Learning Centre​ completed an ERO Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklist. In these documents they attested that they ​have​ taken all reasonable steps to meet their legal obligations related to: 

  • curriculum 
  • premises and facilities 
  • health and safety practices 
  • governance, management and administration.  

During the review, ERO looked at the service’s systems for managing the following areas that have a potentially high impact on children's wellbeing: 

  • emotional safety (including positive guidance and child protection) 
  • physical safety (including supervision; sleep procedures; accidents; medication; hygiene; excursion policies and procedures) 
  • suitable staffing (including qualification levels; safety checking; teacher registration; ratios) 
  • relevant evacuation procedures and practices. 

All early childhood services are required to promote children's health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements. 

6 Action for Compliance 

​During the review, the service provided​ ERO with evidence that shows the following non-compliance has been addressed: 

  • Having evidence of how evaluation of the emergency drills has informed the annual review of the service’s emergency management plan (HS8). 

​​Patricia Davey 
Director of Early Childhood Education (ECE) 

​15 December 2023​ 

7 About the Early Childhood Service  

Early Childhood Service NameLittle Climbers Early Learning Centre
Profile Number45925
LocationMangere East, Auckland
Service type  ​Education and care service​ 
Number licensed for  30 children over 2 years 
Percentage of qualified teachers  ​100%​ 
Service roll 30 
Review team on site September 2023  
Date of this report ​15 December 2023​ 
Most recent ERO report(s) 

Akanuku | Assurance Review​, ​February 2021​ 

Previously reviewed as Little Kingdom Christian Preschool: 

​Education Review​, ​April 2017​ 

Little Climbers Early Learning Centre - 03/02/2021

ERO’s Akanuku | Assurance Review reports provide information about whether a service meets and maintains regulatory standards. Further information about Akanuku | Assurance Reviews is included at the end of this report.

ERO’s Judgement

Regulatory standards

ERO’s judgement

CurriculumMeeting
Premises and facilitiesMeeting
Health and safetyMeeting
Governance, management and administrationMeeting

At the time of the review, ERO found the service was taking reasonable steps to meet regulatory standards.

Background

Little Climbers Early Learning Centre is a privately owned education and care service. Previously known as Little Kingdom Christian Preschool, it has been re-licensed under new ownership since December 2019. The owner/centre manager leads a team of two qualified teachers and one support staff member. This is the centre’s first ERO review as Little Climbers Early Learning Centre.

Summary of Review Findings

Positive steps are taken to acknowledge the aspirations held by parents and whānau for their children. The curriculum respects and supports the right of each child to be confident in their own culture and encourages children to understand and respect other cultures. The service curriculum provides a language-rich environment that supports children’s learning.

There is a comprehensive annual plan that visibly guides the service’s operations. A sufficient quantity and variety of furniture, equipment and materials is provided appropriate for children’s learning and abilities. The premises, furniture, equipment, and materials are maintained in good condition.

Key Next Steps

Next steps include:

  • deepening teachers’ understanding of Te Whāriki (2017), the early childhood curriculum, through more targeted professional learning opportunities
  • strengthening the interactions between teachers and children, individually and collectively, to encourage and support children’s thinking and problem-solving capabilities.

Next ERO Review

The next ERO review is likely to be an Akarangi | Quality Evaluation.

Steve Tanner

Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)

Northern Region | Te Tai Raki

3 February 2021

Information About the Service

Early Childhood Service NameLittle Climbers Early Learning Centre
Profile Number45925
LocationMangere East, Auckland
Service typeEducation and care service
Number licensed for30 children over 2 years
Percentage of qualified teachers80%+
Service roll25
Ethnic compositionMāori 6 
Tongan 12
other ethnic groups 7
Review team on siteNovember 2020
Date of this report3 February 2021

Most recent ERO report(s)

 

First ERO review of the service

General Information about Assurance Reviews

All services are licensed under the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008. The legal requirements for early childhood services also include the Licensing Criteria for Education and Care Services 2008.

Services must meet the standards in the regulations and the requirements of the licensing criteria to gain and maintain a licence to operate.

ERO undertakes an Akanuku | Assurance Review process in any centre-based service:

  • having its first ERO review – including if it is part of a governing organisation
  • previously identified as ‘not well placed’ or ‘requiring further development’
  • that has moved from a provisional to a full licence
  • that have been re-licenced due to a change of ownership
  • where an Akanuku | Assurance Review process is determined to be appropriate.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

All early childhood services are required to promote children’s health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements. Before the review, the staff and management of a service completed an ERO Centre Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklist. In these documents they attested that they have taken all reasonable steps to meet their legal obligations related to:

  • curriculum
  • premises and facilities
  • health and safety practices
  • governance, management and administration.

As part of an Akanuku | Assurance Review ERO assesses whether the regulated standards are being met. In particular, ERO looks at a service’s systems for managing the following areas that have a potentially high impact on children's wellbeing:

  • emotional safety (including positive guidance and child protection)
  • physical safety (including supervision; sleep procedures; accidents; medication; hygiene; excursion policies and procedures)
  • suitable staffing (including qualification levels; police vetting; teacher certification; ratios)
  • evacuation procedures and practices for fire and earthquake.

As part of an Akanuku | Assurance Review ERO also gathers and records evidence through:

  • discussions with those involved in the service
  • consideration of relevant documentation, including the implementation of health and safety systems
  • observations of the environment/premises, curriculum implementation and teaching practice.

Little Kingdom Christian Preschool - 21/04/2017

1 Evaluation of Little Kingdom Christian Preschool

How well placed is Little Kingdom Christian Preschool to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

ERO's findings that support this overall judgement of Little Kingdom Christian Preschool are summarised below.

Background

Little Kingdom Christian Preschool is a privately owned centre in Mangere East. It provides early childhood education and care for up to 30 children in a renovated house. The service focuses on increasing participation in early childhood education by being responsive to the social needs of the community. The majority of children at Little Kingdom Christian Preschool are of Māori or Pacific heritage. Children learn and play as a mixed-age group but there are times when older children are provided with a programme to support their transition to school.

Since ERO's 2014 review Little Kingdom Christian Preschool has had some staff changes. The centre manager is a joint owner of the centre and has formed a team of qualified teachers who are developing a shared approach for continuous improvement. Self-review processes and targeted professional development have focused on enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in the centre. The head teacher is new to her position as curriculum leader. She promotes shared leadership of programme design and management.

In its 2014 of Little Kingdom Christian Preschool, ERO identified a range of concerns that resulted in additional support for the centre and the need for an action plan to guide improvements. Centre leaders and teachers have made good progress. They have sustained positive practices in relation to the development of children's language and social skills, and have strengthened programme planning. Centre leaders are keen to continue improving these areas.

The Review Findings

Children at Little Kingdom Christian Preschool play enthusiastically. They quickly connect with teachers and friends on arrival and promptly engage in various areas of play. Children have positive relationships with teachers. Older children are developing social skills as they play collaboratively with their peers. Children choose from prepared resources and activities. They benefit from literacy and numeracy experiences that are integrated in play contexts. Children are learning to use self-help skills at snack and meal times.

The teachers at Little Kingdom Christian Preschool support children to engage with resources and follow their interests. They maintain a focus on teaching children respect for each other and the environment. This supports children to play cooperatively. Some teachers use questions well to encourage children's ideas and help them to solve problems. They also regularly include cultural activities in the programme, which often involves parents and whānau sharing their skills and knowledge. Teachers are promoting aspects of tikanga Māori in the programme and confidently use simple te reo Māori phrases.

A new planning approach has been developed at Little Kingdom Christian Preschool to capture teachers' reflections on the programme and record children's learning. While this approach helps teachers to provide activities that reflect children’s interests, it does not identify specific teaching strategies or goals to extend children’s learning. The curriculum leader recognises that it is now time to evaluate how well this planning approach guides teaching practices. Teachers could share examples of effective teaching and reflective learning stories, to develop a set of agreed teaching expectations and help each other to all achieve these skills.

Parents who were interviewed by ERO appreciate the caring environment for their children. They value teachers’ interest in children's wellbeing and are pleased about the play, learning and cultural experiences that their children enjoy. Parents feel well informed about their children's learning and acknowledge opportunities to give feedback and comments.

The centre manager at Little Kingdom Christian Preschool provides sound leadership for staff. She provides an inclusive environment, regularly consulting teachers and involving them in decisions about centre development. She keeps up-to-date with developments in early childhood education and actively support teachers’ professional growth. Self review is valued by the team and an effective process is in place to inform decision-making.

The owners of Little Kingdom Christian Preschool are committed to providing a service that meets community needs and offers good quality care and learning for children. The centre manager is strengthening teacher appraisal processes to better reflect the requirements of the Education Council NZ. Staff and parents are appropriately consulted and have input into policy decisions and centre development.

Key Next Steps

Centre leaders at Little Kingdom Christian Preschool agree that the key next steps for centre development should include:

  • making strategic goals more measurable and developing indicators of success to support the evaluation of these goals
  • ongoing development of teachers' planning and evaluation
  • identifying explicit teaching strategies to support children's individual interests and enhance complexity in their play.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Little Kingdom Christian Preschool completed an ERO Centre Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklist. In these documents they attested that they have taken all reasonable steps to meet their legal obligations related to:

  • curriculum
  • premises and facilities
  • health and safety practices
  • governance, management and administration.

During the review, ERO looked at Little Kingdom Christian Preschool's systems for managing the following areas that have a potentially high impact on children's wellbeing:

  • emotional safety (including positive guidance and child protection)
  • physical safety (including supervision; sleep procedures; accidents; medication; hygiene; excursion policies and procedures)
  • suitable staffing (including qualification levels; police vetting; teacher registration; ratios)
  • evacuation procedures and practices for fire and earthquake.

All early childhood services are required to promote children's health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements.

Next ERO Review

When is ERO likely to review the service again?

The next ERO review of Little Kingdom Christian Preschool will be in three years. 

Graham Randell
Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

21 April 2017 

The Purpose of ERO Reports

The Education Review Office (ERO) is the government department that, as part of its work, reviews early childhood services throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. ERO’s reports provide information for parents and communities about each service’s strengths and next steps for development. ERO’s bicultural evaluation framework Ngā Pou Here is described in SECTION 3 of this report. Early childhood services are partners in the review process and are expected to make use of the review findings to enhance children's wellbeing and learning. 

2 Information about the Early Childhood Service 

Location

Mangere East, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

45925

Licence type

Education & Care Service

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

30 children, over 2 years of age

Service roll

24

Gender composition

Boys      14
Girls       10

Ethnic composition

Māori
Samoan
Tongan
Cook Islands Māori
Indian

  3
  7
  6
  4
  4

Percentage of qualified teachers

0-49%       50-79%       80%+

Based on funding rates

80% +

Reported ratios of staff to children

Over 2

1:10

Meets minimum requirements

Review team on site

February 2017

Date of this report

21 April 2017

Most recent ERO report(s) 

Education Review

April 2014

3 General Information about Early Childhood Reviews

ERO’s Evaluation Framework

ERO’s overarching question for an early childhood education review is ‘How well placed is this service to promote positive learning outcomes for children?’ ERO focuses on the following factors as described in the bicultural framework Ngā Pou Here:

Pou Whakahaere – how the service determines its vision, philosophy and direction to ensure positive outcomes for children

Pou Ārahi – how leadership is enacted to enhance positive outcomes for children

Mātauranga – whose knowledge is valued and how the curriculum is designed to achieve positive outcomes for children

Tikanga whakaako – how approaches to teaching and learning respond to diversity and support positive outcomes for children.

Within these areas ERO considers the effectiveness of arotake – self review and of whanaungatanga – partnerships with parents and whānau. 

ERO evaluates how well placed a service is to sustain good practice and make ongoing improvements for the benefit of all children at the service.

A focus for the government is that all children, especially priority learners, have an opportunity to benefit from quality early childhood education. ERO will report on how well each service promotes positive outcomes for all children, with a focus on children who are Māori, Pacific, have diverse needs, and are up to the age of two.

For more information about the framework and Ngā Pou Here refer to ERO’s Approach to Review in Early Childhood Services.

ERO’s Overall Judgement and Next Review

The overall judgement that ERO makes and the timing of the next review will depend on how well placed a service is to promote positive learning outcomes for children. The categories are:

  • Very well placed – The next ERO review in four years
  • Well placed – The next ERO review in three years
  • Requires further development – The next ERO review within two years
  • Not well placed - The next ERO review in consultation with the Ministry of Education

ERO has developed criteria for each category. These are available on ERO’s website.

Review Coverage

ERO reviews are tailored to each service’s context and performance, within the overarching review framework. The aim is to provide information on aspects that are central to positive outcomes for children and useful to the service.